Fastening means



May 30,, 1933. HELLER 1,911,824

FASTENING MEANS Filed Nov. 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Mz'ton Z. Heller ATTOR May '30, 1933. L, HELLER 1,911,824

FASTENING MEANS Filed Nov. 16, 1929 2 Sheets$heet 2 Zhwentoz 3 ,Mz'iion l. Heller 331 1728 @lbtqmw Lama/Pg? Patented May 30, 1933 UNITED STATES MILTON L. HELLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FASTENING MEANS Application filed November 16, 1929. Serial No. 407,594.

This invention relates to fastening means, and while shown more particularly used in connection with garments, has many uses and is not to be considered as restricted only to the single use illustrated.

The objects of the invention are to provide a fastening means which is adapted to be positively positioned; to provide a fastening means which can be readily attached or disengaged, but which will secure the parts intended to be held until manually released; to provide an attaching means which can be utilized in connection with various garments and the like such as belts, waistbands, knickers, vests and so forth; to provide a construction wherein adjustment can be made while on or off the garment and if off the garment then the fastening means can be readily and effectively attached to the garment; to provide a device which can be removed from the garment whenrthe same is washed; to hold the flexible portion extended transversely; to avoid piercing the flexible material; to provide a structure which requires only a single metal part; to enable the metal part to be flat; to secure simplicity of construction and operation, and-to obtain other advantages and results as may be brought out in the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals of referenceindicate similar parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a perspective View of myimproved fastening means in use;

Figure 2 is a view in elevation similarto Fig. 1 with parts broken away;

Figure 3 is a sectional View on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; V

Figure 4 is a view in elevation ,of the part which, for convenience, I will refer to as a buckle Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views of tapes showing various ways of forming pockets therein;

Figure 9 is a sectional view on line 99 of Fig. 8;

Figure 10 is an elevation of another construction of tape in which metal clips' are used to form the pocket; 7

Figure 11 is a sectional View on line 111l of Fig. 10;

Figure 12 is an elevation of a device which for convenience I will refer to as a n double buckle;

Figure 13 is a sectional view on line 13-13 of Fig. 12;

Figure 14 is a similar sectional view showing the buckle as used;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of another type of buckle looking at the same from one side; and

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a buckle similar to the buckle shown in Fig. 15, but looking at it from the other side and showing it applied to a band or the like.

In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in said drawings, and referring initially to Figures 1 to 4, I have shown a portion 1 of a garment, such as a waistband, to which another part, such as an elastic 2 is to be attached. In obtaining this attachment I employ the improved fastening means forming the subject matter of the present invention. I have shown atape 3 sewn or otherwise secured to extend lengthwise from the elastic, as by stitching 4, and this tape is preferably doubled transversely so that both of its ends overlap the C end of the elastic 2 and both ends are sewn to the elastic by the stitching. As a result, the tape forms a loop which will prevent loss of the buckle as will hereinafter appear, and for convenience in reference said loop provides front and back portions which will be S identified as front ply 5 and rear ply 6. By reference to Figure I particularly it will be observed that the rear ply 6 of this tape is provided with plaits 7 transverse to the length of the tape, these plaits being intend- 9 ed to provide pockets along the inside face of the tape. Said pockets therefore provide a plurality of means for adjustably attaching-a buckle 8 of special construction and forming part of the present invention.

Various ways of forming the pocket may be employed, some of the same being shown'in Figures 1,5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. r

In all-of these constructions, a pocket is formed transverse to the length of the tape extending to or substantially to the side edge of the tape. In the construction of Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a longitudinal line of stitching 10 adjacent each edge of the tape thereby closing the ends of the plaits and thus obtaining pockets open at the inner side of the loop only in one direction longitudinally of the tape and closed at both edges of the tape.

If preferred, the tape can be hemmed over before being lon itudinally stitched. Such a construction is shown in Figure 5 wherein the ply 6 of tape 3 is transversely plaited at 7, as heretofore described, to provide pockets. After the plaits are formed, the longitudinal edges of the tape are turned over, preferably on the same side with each other, as at 11, and then longitudinally stitched as at 12 thereby providing pockets open at one side of the tape in one direction only and closed at the ends.

In Figure 6 is shown a tape 3 with plaits 7 from edge to edge. A binding 13 is sewn longitudinally by stitches 14 over the edges of the tape. This construction, like Figure 1, provides pockets open at both sides of the tape, those at either side thereof opening in one direction only. The edges of the plaits are both shown as closed in this view by binding 13. This type of tape is of particular utility in connection with the double buckle of Figures 12 to 14 subsequently described, as it provides oppositely facing pockets on opposite sides of the tape so that the pockets at one end on one side of the tape will engage the buckle and the pockets at the opposite side and end will also be adapted to engage the buckle.

In Figure 7 is shown a. tape 3 with plaits 7 from edge to edge. In this view, the plaits are shown stitched longitudinally of themselves or transversely with respect to the tape by stitches 15. The stitches 15 are parallel to and spaced from the open edge of the plait thereby forming a pocket open at one side of the tape in one direction. The ends of the pockets in this view are shown open, but may be closed by hemming or binding as shown in Figures 5 and 6, or otherwise if desired.

In Figure 8 the plaits 7 are formed by stitching transverse to the length of the tape 3, the stitching being shown in the form of button-hole edging 16 around button-holes 17. These buttoirholes are made through the several plies of material form ing the plaits thereby offering considerable resistance to being torn." The plaits, with the button-holes spaced from the front edge thereof form pockets as will now be readily understood. Ends of the pockets may be left open as'shown in this figure, or closed by hemming or binding as in Figures 5 and 6 above described or as illustrated in connection with the disclosure of Figure 16.

Still other means may be employed for holding the plaits, and in Figures 10 and 11, I have shown the ends of plaits 7 gripped by U-shape metal clips 18 overlying the edges of the tape 3 at the ends of the plaits. These clips are preferably applied by machinery and each clip is squeezed together to securely hold the material, thus enabling the tape to be rapidly and economically made with pockets at appropriate intervals. If found desirable, clips 18 at the ends of the plait may be supplemented by clips 19 along the outer edges of the plaits on opposite sides of the tape. Such a construction will maintain the plait in shape and reduce the strain upon the clips at the end of the plait.

The buckle 8 which has been referred to above is preferably constructed from a single piece of flat metal. The body portion of this buckle provides a tongue 20 having its free end directed toward a slot 21 eX- tending lengthwise of the tongue. At the opposite ends or sides of thetcngue there are transverse slots 22, 22 formed as part of the slot 21 at the long edge or front end of the tongue. The proportions of the tongue are such that the same will enter a pocket of the tape formed by the plait 7. In event the tape has been longitudinally stitched adjacent its edges as in Figure 1, the stitching 4 will be the same distance apart as the transverse slots 22, 22 of the buckle thus enabling the tongue to enter between the rows of stitching, and also permitting the tape to pass through the slot.

At that time the body portion of the buckle 7 outside the said slots will be outside or beyond the edges of the tape, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2. The buckle may also have another slot 23 beyond the base end of the tongue through which the tape may pass to again be on the front side of the buckle.

Also formed as part of the buckle are a pair of parallel fingers or prongs 24, 2 1. These prongs are arranged-to extend parallel to the edges of the tape at the outer edges of the buckle beyond the main body portion thereof. The garment, for instance the waistband shown in Figures 1 and 2 will be provided with suitable pockets for receiving these prongs 2 1 by which the device is attached thercto. I have shown the waistband plaited as at 25 similar to the plaiting of the tape, and longitudinal lines of stitching 26, 26 may be provided to hold these plaits and form'pocl-zets for receiving the prongs. It is to be noted that between the prongs and the body of; the buckle the construction provides slots 27, 27 open at one end and closed at the other. The stitches of the garment are spaced apart such a dis tance that they will register with these open ended slots and permit the prongs to enter the pockets adjacent the line of stitching. By this construction the buckle has a tendency to hold the garment fiat at the place of attachment since the plait forming the pocket is on the outer side of the prongs on the under side of the body of the buckle, with the stitching cooperating to limit the insertion of the rongs. Similarly the tongue 200:" the buckle has a tendency to retain the tape 3 in fiat condition, keeping it from wrinkling or curling up when tension is placed upon it so that it is always flat a d neat while in use with the strain uniformly applied to the garment by sepa rated prongs. It is furthermore to be noted that my construct-ion avoids use of any sharp teeth or other devices that would pierce the flexible material and furthermore provides very positive positioning and securing of the buckle with respect both to the garment and the tape.

There are obviously many uses to which this improved fastening means may be applied, and I do not wish it to be understood that I limit myself to application to any particular garment. Merely for purposes of disclosing one construction definitely,-I have illustrated the waistband, but the invention is equally applicable to numerous other garments such as belts, knicker leg openings vest tightening means and in fact a great many uses which it is thought unnecessary to itemize with any greater particularity.

For such uses as required an attachment from both ends, as for instance to secure the meeting ends of a. belt, I can modify the invention to provide a double buckle which is shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14. In that showing 1 provide a pair of oppositely directed tongues 29, 29 having slots 30, 30 eX- tending along the front edges thereof and slots 31, 31 at the ends of the tongues intersecting the first mentioned slots 30. Between the tongues 29, 29 I provide a pluralitv of slots 32, 33 and 34 preferably parallel to each other and parallel to the front edges of the tongues. These slots are preferably as long as the front slots so as to take the full width of the tape. The provi sion of a plurality of slots provides therebetween a pair of bars 35, 36 between the slots, and as shown in Figures 12 and 13 said bars 35, 36 are bent or oflset from the plane of the buckle so as to permit introducing the belt or other tape thereinto more readily.

It will be observed the tape. or belt has opposite free ends 37, 38. One of these free ends, as 37, is passed through the middle slot in one direction whereas the other free end is passed through the middle slot in the opposite direction, one from the top and the other from the bottom. The one free end is then passed out of the next slot 32 and back into slot 30 at the front edgeof the tongue. One belt or tape end is providedwith a pocket then upwardly through slot 30 as shown in Figure 13. This end of the belt or tape likewise has a pocket 39 which engages the' tongue at that end of the buckle and permits tension to be applied to the belt in the opposite direction from the tension applied to the other end of the belt. The buckle'is constructed with slits 40 intermediate its upper and lower edges which pass from the outside edge of the buckle into the slots 30, 30 in front of tongues 29, 29. This construction enables the material forming the belt or tape to be introduced into said slots 30, 30 by passing edgewise through said slits 40, 40 rather than having to feed the end of the belt or tape into said slots. Furthermore, the buckle may be constructed with knobs 41, 41 at its upper and lower sides for stitching the buckle to a garment,such as a dress, ifit is desired to use the buckle in that manner and retain it againstloss.

I have illustrated in Figures 15 and 16 a construction whereby the buckle may be secured permanently to the elastic and movably and adjustably applied to the tape, waistband, garment or elsewhere. In these figures, I have shown abuckle with curled over grips 42, 42 at the upper and lower edges thereof and a transverse grip 43 stamped up from a middle portion of the buckle, all three of these grips being curled over and provided with roughened edges which can be pressed down into the elastic44 adjacent its end and secure a permanent attachmentof the buckle thereto. The buckle likewise provides a tongue 45 stamped out of the middle portion of the buckle, the free end ofthe tongue 45 being directed toward. the elasticand spaced from the body portion of the I buckle by a slot 46 a sufficient distance to engage in the pocket provided by a plait 7 in a tape, or waistband 47 or elsewhere. Preferably the curled over grips and tongue 45 are stamped from the same metal forming the buckle and all the grips are stamped up on the same side of the buckle. If the buckle is intended for application to a tape it may have at one end thereof, opposite from the elastic grips, a loop to receive the tape. Such loop is shown in Figure 15 as comprising nearly meeting straps 48, 48 integral with the buckle, at its upper and lower edges and bent over parallel to the front edge of the buckle in spaced relation therefrom. Preferably the ends of these straps by not quite meeting leave a slit 49 therebetween to enable the tape to be fed in later-' ally between the straps through the slit. The tongue performs the function of not only a means for fastening the buckleto a tape or the like,:but also to, hold the tape'or other flexible structure out flat when tension is applied to the buckle. As shown in Figure 16 the loop may be omitted and the tongue hooked into button-holes of a waistband.

Construction of the waistband shown in Figure 16 is such that astrip or tape 51 provides the proper pockets for adjustable attachment of the buckle. Said tape 51 has plaits 52 the ends of which are shown closed and which all open on one side of the tape in one direction. The plaits are secured longitudinally of themselves or transversely of the tape by button-hole edging 53 enclosing button-holes 54. The upper edge of the tape is shown bound, as described in connection with Figure 6, with a binding 55 longitudinally stitched thereto with a line of stitching 56. The bottom edge of the tape is also bound, in this instance by a strip of material wider than the tape an l forming an attaching strip 57. The lower edge of the attaching strip passes from the back of the tape to the front and is bound or hemmed thereto by a line of stitching This construction provides a plurality of button-holes in a tape which is for the most part only one ply, but which is reenforced at the button-holes, having three plies those particular places. The buttonholes will tierefore be very strong and will not readily tear out. The tongue of the buckle may be inserted in the button-holes or may be caught in the pockets formed by the plaits. The elastic 44 attached to the buckle may also pass through one of the button-holes to be positioned between the tape and the attaching strap 57. The band can be used to button onto a waist or other garment by use of some of the button-holes and other button-holes can be used for the fasteners to engage and the elastic or tape to go through. The buckle holds the tape fully expanded and also acts to hold the gar ment from rolling over at its edge. The buckle when so used is between several plies of material so will not feel uncomfortable to or hurt the wearer.

Obviously other detail changes and modifications may be made in the construction and use of my invention, and I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact structure shown except as set forth in the following claims when construed in the light of the prior art.

Having thus described the invention, 1 claim:

1. In a fastening means, a buckle comprising a transverse tongue, said buckle havin slots therein the front end and sides of the tongue, and a readily flexible tape having means for engagement in said end slots for holding the tape transversely distended and engaged by the front end of the tongue for the entire width thereof.

2. A fastening means comprising a buckle having a transverse tongue, and a readily flexible tape to be held by said buckle, said tape being substantially the width of said tongue and having plaits providing pockets for engagement by said tongue so as to be held distended by the tongue therein for adjustably securing the buckle to the tape.

3. In a fastening means, a buckle comprising a transverse tongue, said buckle having slots therein at the front end and sides of the tongue whereby a tape may be introduced through said'slots and engage said tongue, and means beyond the sides of the tongue for attaching the buckle to a garment.

4. In a fastening means, a buckle comprising a transverse tongue, said buckle having slots therein the front end and sides of the tongue whereby a tape may be introduced through said slots and engage said tongue, and means beyond the sides of the tongue for attacl ing the buckle to a garment, all of said parts being in a common plane so that the buckle has no greater thickness than the material of which it is made.

MILTON L. HELLER. 

